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Hey everyone,
For Christmas, I was just given a $150 gift card to Amazon. There are two tools that I am looking to buy, but I can only afford one with this gift card.
1. Ingersoll Rand 2115 TiMAX 3/8 Impact Wrench – http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2115TiMAX-8-Inch-Impactool/dp/B001BQK7B4/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i#productDetails
or
2. Power Probe Master Kit – http://www.amazon.com/Power-Probe-PPKIT03-Master-Test/dp/B003QHDLEQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419860112&sr=8-2&keywords=power+probe
Which one should I get? Keep in mind that I have a Honda. I’m saying this because I know that Japanese cars tend to have fewer electrical issues.
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If you already have a 1/2 impact i’d go for the power probe you can do most things a 3/8th will do with a 1/2 inch but having 2 impact guns isn’t going to help when you need to do any electrical work.
Depends on your focus. Are you going to take the car apart, or repair switches and things ? That is the real question. I love electronic tools but they are generally used less for the majority of tune up repair things that arise. An electronic device to check circuits can be made from old junk laying around, where there is simply no substitute for impact tools.
The power probe is an excellent tool but, it is more for the professional. If you have a Digital Multi Meter then a power probe is probably not worth it to you because you have to know the voltages and amperage for the circuit you are working on to use it effectively. Otherwise you can easily fry things.
A 3/8 impact is good not as good as a 1/2 impact but, the 3/8 impact listed will remove lug nuts and most of the fasteners on your car provided you have enough CFM from your air compressor and a big enough tank. That is going to be the real limiting factor on the impact is your air compressor.
Here is the tech specs for the gun you listed:
http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/impactools/maintenance-automotive-impactools/3-8-drive/2115timax-series/2115timax/modelspec/40349If you decide to get the gun though I would suggest this instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-2115QTiMAX-8-inch-Impactool-Quiet/dp/B001BQLZYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419893620&sr=8-1&keywords=2115QTiMAXIt is the same thing only quieter which is worth the extra few bucks. It would make your ears and neighbors happy. The CFM for these at load is 17CFM the avg 4 CFM. So if it is impacting it is using 17CFM if it is just spinning the fastener out it is like 4 CFM. If you have a small air compressor tank the compressor is going to be cycling a lot if you use this. You will be waiting for it to fill the tank over and over. So you are talking 15-30 secs at max load and roughly 1 -2 mins of just bolt running time. The calculations are for a 30 gal tank the range depends on the CFM of the compressor. Basically to get the gun usable you need about 6 CFM and to use it well 8 CFM on a 50-60gal tank. The best would be 12-18 on a 100-200gal tank but, that is shop level equipment.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
FMXVXX: I do have a 1/2 inch impact, so I might go for the power probe. I always wondered why most mechanics have both. I guess the 3/8 can fit into smaller spaces.
ANDREWBUTTON442: My focus is maintenance, so I routinely do suspension work, brake jobs, and engine tune ups to all of my own cars. I drive a ton, so I became a DIYer to save myself money on repairs. I think the impact would be used more, especially since Hondas are usually pretty reliable with their electronics.
MDK22: I have an Chicago Pneumatic (made in USA) 26 gallon air compressor. It has a 7.10 CFM rating at 90 PSI, so it’s pretty good for a DIYer. I could have gone bigger, but I think it’s the perfect size for me.
The reason why mechanics have 3/8 is as follows. It is smaller it can get into tight places a 1/2 can’t. it is normally lighter and by a substantial amount especial with all metal guns. It does 3/4 of what needs to be done and doesn’t break bolts nearly as easy. 3/8 is the drive size that universally fits the most fasteners. 1/2 inch can actually over rotate a bolt and cause it to chatter in the threads, which in worn threads can cause it to try and jump threads, which the bolt then actually cross threads itself on the way out. Seems complicated Done it many a time not fun. 1/2 inch can kill your air supply fast in smaller shops and at home. 1/2 inch cannot be used to put in other fasteners such as torx screws or dash screws without a serious chance of stripping things or breaking the screw or the fastener.
So basically a 3/8 gun I can and do use for everything that I can get it on. Otherwise I use air ratchets unless its horribly inaccessible then there are hand tools. My 1/2inch I mainly use when the 3/8 won’t do it which is more often then most car mechanics due to my field.
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